Collapsible exercise machine

ABSTRACT

An exerciser with collapsible components for easy storage and operation is described. The exerciser can include a track with two distal ends, two handle bars may be affixed to the track via the handle coupling assemblies, a plurality of leg members affixed to the track via leg coupling assemblies defined on a bottom side of the track, and slide assembly slidably coupled to the track and movable along the track. A handle bar affixed at a handle storage position via the handle coupling assembly may be substantially hidden under the track. Each leg member affixed at a leg storage position may extend towards the distal ends under the track to reduce the required storage space. Each handle bar affixed at the handle storage position may be fittingly inserted in between a pair the leg members affixed at the leg storage position to reduce the required storage space.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to physical training machines, and in particular, to exercise machines with collapsible components for a curved track.

BACKGROUND

Many exercise machines, such as waist and hip developer machines, have been created due to the needs of modern people for maintaining and enhancing the body health. Most commercial exercising machines with the function for training the muscles of the waist and hip tend to require significant track length to operate. Further, such exercising machines usually come with foot stands or a seat back extended from the track. As a result, it can be cumbersome to dissemble/assemble these machines to make them portable and/or space saving for storage.

Thus, the conventional exercising machines with a sliding track require further improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

An exerciser or exercise machine applicable for waist and hip developer with may include a track smoothly arched and curving upwardly toward two distal ends of the track from a middle portion of the track. Collapsible components attached around the track may be operated separated and independently over space area around the track without mutual interference for easy storage and operation.

In one embodiment, two handle coupling assemblies may be provided around the two distal ends of the track, each handle coupling assembly configurable with at least two handle positions including a handle operative position and a handle storage position. Two handle bars may be affixed to the track via the handle coupling assemblies configured in one of the handle positions. Two or more leg coupling assemblies may be defined on a bottom side of the track, each leg coupling assembly configurable with at least two leg positions including a leg operative position and a leg storage position. A plurality of leg members may be affixed to the track via the leg coupling assemblies configured in one of the leg positions. A slide assembly may be slidably coupled to the track with rollers thereof and movable along the track. The slide assembly can comprise a rotatable seat. In one embodiment, each handle bar affixed at the handle storage position may be substantially hidden under the track o reduce required storage space of the device. Each leg member affixed at the leg storage position may extend from the middle portion towards the distal ends under the track to reduce the required storage space of the device. Each handle bar affixed at the handle storage position may be fittingly inserted in between two of the leg members affixed at the leg storage position to reduce the required storage space of the device.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of examples and not limitations in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3.5A-3.5B illustrate exemplary operations to attach/detach a footrest to an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4K illustrate an exemplary sequence of operations to collapse an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate exemplary movements of along a track of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate exemplary views of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of external surfaces, named components, connections between components, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail but rather in a block diagram in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Further specific numeric references such as first, second, third, etc., may be made. However, the specific numeric references should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted as references to different objects. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. Exercise machine (or device) 100 can include track 109 smoothly arched and curving upwardly toward two distal ends 147, 149 from middle portion 151 (e.g. a low point) of track 109. Track 109 may have a track height defined about the vertical distance between distal ends 147, 149 and middle portion 151. Slide assembly 107 can be movably engaged on top of track 109 between distal ends 147, 149.

In one embodiment, slide assembly 107 can include rotatable seat 103 and backrest 101 adapted to support a user from the backside of seat 103 to support a user sitting on seat 103 performing exercise movements (e.g. leftwards or rightwards sliding movements) along track 109. Handle bars 105 can be adapted to provide hand support at two distal ends 147, 149 for the user sitting on seat 103. Multiple or pairs of leg members 111 can be suited to provide floor (or ground) support for device 100 from a bottom side (e.g. close to mid portion 151) of track 109.

In one embodiment, device 100 can include handle coupling assemblies 117 defined at two distal ends 147, 149. Handle coupling assembly 117 can be configured with multiple handle positions including, for example, a handle operative position and a handle storage position. Handle bar 105 can be adjustably affixed to track 109 via handle coupling assembly 117 configured in one of the handle positions. Handle bar 105 may be locked at the handle operative position pointing upwardly above track 109 for providing user hand support. Alternatively, handle bar 105 may be locked at the handle storage position pointing downwardly below track 109 for device storage.

Handle bar 105 may be moveable around two sides (e.g. left side or right side) of track 109 to configure handle coupling assembly 117. For example, handle coupling assembly 117 can allow handle bar 105 to pivot over one side (e.g. outside from left side or right side) of rack 109 around an axis aligned a latitudinal direction (e.g. between the front side and the back side of seat 103) of rack 109. Handle coupling assembly 117 may include other applicable handle positions to allow handle bar 105 to be locked in various angles relative to a surface defined by track 109.

Device 100 can include multiple leg coupling assemblies 119 defined on a bottom side of track 109. Leg coupling assembly 119 can be configured with at least two leg positions including, for example, a leg operative position and a leg storage position. Each leg member 111 may be adjustably affixed to rack 109 via a leg coupling assembly 119 configured with one of the leg positions.

Leg members 111 may be movable around an under side of track 109 to configure leg coupling assemblies 119. For example, leg coupling assemblies 119 can allow leg member 111 to pivot under rack 109 around an axis directed substantially parallel to the surface of rack 109 (or seat 103) to switch or transition between different leg positions.

In one embodiment, leg member 111 may be locked at the leg operative position pointing downwardly from rack 109 to provide height support for device 100. Alternatively, leg member 111 may be locked at the leg storage position pointing sideways (e.g. substantially parallel longitudinally with track 109) from under rack 109 to reduce required space or dimensions (e.g. height) for storage. Leg coupling assembly 119 may include other applicable leg positions to allow leg member 111 to be locked in various angles relative to the surface defined by track 109, for example, to support rack 109 at different heights.

Each leg coupling assembly 119 may be detachably fixed with a pair of leg members 111. Leg coupling assembly 119 may allow the pair of leg members 111 to pivot together under rack 109 around an axis directed substantially laterally to rack 109 (e.g. between the right/left side and below).

In one embodiment, slide assembly 107 can include backrest coupling assembly 115 defined on a back side of seat 103. Backrest coupling assembly 115 may be configured with at least two backrest positions including, for example, a backrest operative position and a backrest storage position. Backrest 101 may be adjustably affixed to seat 103 via backrest coupling assembly 115 configured with one of the backrest positions.

For example, backrest 101 affixed or locked at the backrest operative position can stand upwardly from seat 103 to provide back side support for the user sitting on seat 103. Alternatively, backrest 101 affixed at the backrest storage position may be inclined pointing towards the front side of track 109 (or seat 103) over the top of seat 103 to collapse the height of device 100 for ease of storage. In one embodiment, backrest coupling assembly 115 may allow backrest 101 to pivot between the back side and the front side of seat 103 to switch between various backrest positions, such as the backrest operative position and the backrest storage position.

In some embodiments, slide assembly 107 may include rollers movable back and forth (or left and right) along track 109. Seat 103 may be rotatable relative to track 109 within a predetermined angle range. Slide assembly 107 may include a control mechanism, such as a lock screw to limit an angle of rotation within the predetermined range. Track 108 may include two substantially parallel track bars, for example, front track bar 153 and back track bar 155. Handle coupling assembly 117 and leg coupling assembly 119 may be affixed across the parallel bars.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. Device 200 may be based on device 100 of FIG. 1 detachably affixed with an optional footrest 113 extending from the front side of seat 103. Footrest 113 may be adapted to provide leg resting support for a user sitting on seat 103.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, view 300 may be based on device 100 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, backrest coupling assembly 105 can include pivot pin 203 to allow backrest 101 to be pivotally affixed to seat plate 125 of seat 103. Control pin 121 may be inserted into receiving bracket 157 to configure a backrest coupling position around pivot pin 123 for backrest 101. With control pin 121 removed from lock insert 155, backrest 101 may freely incline/recline (or pivot) around pivot pin 123. Control pin 121 may be inserted into lock insert 155, for example, to prevent backrest 101 from inclining from a reclined position (or the backrest operative position) or from reclining from a inclined position (or the backrest storage position). Footrest 113 may be detachably affixed to seat 103 via receiving bracket 157. Optional footrest 113 may be attached/detached to device 100 via control knob 159.

In one embodiment, handle coupling assembly 117 can include pivot bar 131 inserted though cross tube 135 between track bars 153, 155 of track 109. Two ends of handle bar 105 may be affixed to two ends of pivot bar 131 to allow handle bar 105 to pivot around cross tube 135. Insert positions may be predefined around pivot bar 131 for removable control pin (or screw) 129 to lock a pivoting position (or handle position) of handle bar 105 through cross tube 135. Control pin 129 can be removed (or disengaged) from cross tube 135 to allow handle bar 105 to rotate or pivot between the handle operative position, the handle storage position or other handle positions around cross tube 135.

Leg coupling assembly 119 may include leg base bracket 139 pivotally engaged with track base bracket 145 affixed at the bottom side of track 109. More than one (e.g. a pair) leg members 111 may be detachably affixed to one leg base bracket 139 to allow leg members 111 to rotate, pivot or swing together (or simultaneously) inwards or outwards (between the left side and the right side) under track 109. Track base bracket 145 can provide a stop to limit inward swing of leg members 111. The stop may define a leg position, such as a leg operative position for a leg member. Relative positions between track base bracket 145 and leg base bracket 139 may be locked via control knob 137 to configure a leg position, such as a leg operative position or a leg storage position.

Guard 141 may be mounted around a border of track 109, for example, via guard fastener 133. In some embodiments, multiple guard fasteners 133 may be provided at the bottom side of track 109. Device 100 may be supported on a floor via guard fasteners 133 when device 100 is configured in a storage position.

FIGS. 3.5A-3.5B illustrate exemplary operations to attach/detach a footrest to an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, sequence 350 may be based on device 100 of FIG. 1 or device 200 of FIG. 2. Turning now to FIG. 35A, control knob 159 may be removed from seat 103 to allow optional footrest 113 to be inserted into seat 103 via, for example, receiving bracket 157 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 35B, footrest 113 is secured with seat 103 via control knob 159.

FIGS. 4A-4K illustrate an exemplary sequence of operations to collapse (or expand) an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, sequences 400A-400B may be based on device 100 of FIG. 1. Turning now to FIG. 4A, device 100 may be configured with leg members 111, handle bars 105 and backrest 101 in operative positions. With control pin 129 removed from handle coupling assembly 117, handle bar 105 may pivot down (e.g. automatically or manually pushed) to the handle storage position as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. Handle bar 105 may be locked in the handle storage position via control pin 129 in FIG. 4D.

In one embodiment, handle bar 105, when affixed at the handle storage position, may be substantially hidden under track 109 between a middle portion 151 and two distal ends 147, 149 bounded by, for example, track bars 153, 155. For example, handle bar 105 may be positioned within a gap (or open area) under track 109 within the height between distal end 149 and middle portion 151. The gap may be defined by an upward curvature of track 109.

Turning now to FIG. 4E, control knob 137 may be loosened to allow leg members 111 to swing towards distal ends 147, 149 from under track 109 to collapse device 100. In some embodiments, the weight of track 109 may automatically cause the collapsing of device 100 as leg members 111 are unlocked from the leg operative positions via control knob 137. Alternatively, leg members 111 may automatically swing to the leg operation position when track 109 is lifted from a storage or collapsed configuration. Leg members 111 may be locked or affixed in the leg storage position (e.g. via control knob 137) in FIG. 4F. FIGS. 4G and 4H may show alternative views of leg members 111 configured to the leg storage position to reduce required storage space (e.g. including both height and front/back depth) for device 100.

Each leg member 111 in the storage position may extend from the middle portion of track 109 sideways (i.e. substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of track 109) towards one of the distal ends under track 109. Handle bar 105 at the handle storage position may be fittingly sized (e.g. with matching sizes between the width of handle bar 105 and the separation distance between leg members 111) to be insertable in between two leg members affixed at the leg storage position. As a result, the volume (or amount of space) required to accommodate the dimensions of device 100 can be reduced. In some embodiments, handle bar 105 at the handle storage position may provide floor support for collapsed device 100.

Turning now to FIG. 41, both leg members 111 and handle bar 105 may be configured in storage positions. With control pin 121 removed from backrest coupling assembly 115 in FIG. 4J, backrest 101 can be allowed to switch (e.g. incline) from an operative position to a storage position. In one embodiment, configurations among backrest 101, leg members 111 and handle bar 105 may be independent with each other. Device components (e.g. backrest 101, leg member 111 and/or handle bar 105) may be sized and/or structured to be moved individually or in different combinations without interfering each other.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate exemplary movements along a track of the exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, based on device 100 of FIG. 1. Slide assembly 107 may move or slide from about a center position of track 109 in FIG. 5A leftwards to a left position shown in FIG. 5B. Alternatively, slide assembly 107 may move or slide rightwards to a right position shown in FIG. 5C. Seat 103 may be rotatable or configured in a rotated angle with respect to slide assembly 107 during the movements.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate exemplary views of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, for example, based on device 100 of FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of device 100; FIG. 6B illustrates a rear view thereof; FIG. 6C illustrates a left view thereof; FIG. 6D illustrates a right view thereof; FIG. 6E illustrates a top view thereof; and FIG. 6F illustrates a bottom view thereof. Optional footrest 113 may be attached to these views as similarly shown in device 200 of FIG. 2.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A exerciser device comprising: a track smoothly arched and curving upwardly toward two distal ends thereof with a track height above a middle portion thereof; two handle coupling assemblies defined at the two distal ends of the track, each handle coupling assembly configurable with at least two handle positions including a handle operative position and a handle storage position; two handle bars, each handle bar affixed to the track via one of the handle coupling assemblies, the handle bars movable around the track to configure the handle coupling assemblies; a plurality of leg coupling assemblies defined on a bottom side of the track, each leg coupling assembly configurable with at least two leg positions including a leg operative position and a leg storage position; a plurality of leg members, each leg member affixed to the track via one of the leg coupling assemblies, the leg members movable around the track to configure the leg coupling assemblies; and a slide assembly slidably coupled to the track with rollers thereof and movable along the track, the slide assembly comprising a rotatable seat, wherein each handle bar, when affixed at the handle operative position, provides hand support for a user sitting on the rotatable seat to perform sliding movements along the track, wherein each handle bar, when affixed at the handle storage position, is substantially hidden under the track within the track height, wherein each leg member, when affixed at the leg operative position, provides support of the track on a floor for the user to perform the sliding movements, and wherein each leg member, when affixed at the leg storage position, extends sideways from the middle portion towards the distal ends under the track within the track height.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle bar affixed at the handle storage position is fittingly inserted in between two of the leg members affixed at the leg storage position.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the slide structure comprises: a backrest coupling assembly defined on a back side of the rotatable seat, the backrest coupling assembly configurable with at least two backrest positions including a backrest operative position and a backrest storage position; and a backrest affixed to the rotatable seat via the backrest coupling assembly configured with one of the backrest positions, wherein the backrest, when affixed at the backrest operative position, provides back side support for the user sitting on the rotatable seat, wherein the backrest, when affixed at the backrest storage position, extends from the back side of the seat towards a front side of the seat to reduce the required storage space of the device.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the backrest inclines from the back side of the rotatable seat towards a front side of the rotatable seat to switch from the backrest operative position to the backrest storage position via the backrest coupling assemblies.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle coupling assemblies allow the handle bar to pivot from a top side of the track towards the bottom side of the track to switch from the handle operative position to the handle storage position.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the leg coupling assemblies allow the leg member to swing from the bottom side of the track upwards to switch from the leg operative position to the leg storage position.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the two leg members are affixed with a particular one of the leg coupling assemblies, and wherein the particular leg coupling assembly includes a control knob to configure a particular one of the leg positions of the particular leg coupling assembly.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a guard mounted around a border of the track.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein each handle bar affixed to the handle coupling assembly is allowed to move between the handle positions, wherein each leg member affixed to the leg coupling assembly is allowed to move between the leg positions, and wherein the movement of the handle bar and the movement of the leg member are independent without mutual interference. 